Gold Stand

before 1896

Gold Stand, before 1896. Alexander Edward Tillander (Russian, 1837–1918). Gold, enamel, sapphire, gold easel and stand, photograph covered with faceted green glass; overall: 4.2 cm (1 5/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, The India Early Minshall Collection 1966.435.b In the Russian Orthodox religious tradition, eggs are offered as Easter gifts to symbolize rebirth, renewal, and the resurrection of Christ. This jeweled Russian egg is engraved with XB symbolizing the phrase, “Christ is risen,” and would have been given to a lady in a wealthy household, perhaps someone of high rank within the imperial court, given the richness of materials.